Vintage Bob Knight

Cooley · January 7, 2006

Difference of opinion has recruit, Tech parting ways

Father says school ditched son; Tech: son may not have succeeded

12:17 AM CST on Saturday, January 7, 2006

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

Rockwall senior Michael Godwin rarely left the house without donning a red-and-black shirt or hat. For Christmas, he received more gear bearing the logo of Texas Tech, the college for which he signed in November to play basketball next season.

But recently the Godwin family learned that coach Bob Knight was skeptical the 6-8 swingman would succeed at Tech.

As a result, the Godwins requested that Tech release Michael from the scholarship, and the school has done so.

"We were whole-hog Tech," Michael's father, Charlie Godwin, said. "All of a sudden, Knight didn't want him."

Texas Tech officials did not respond to phone calls, but the athletic department put a statement on its Web site Friday afternoon. The statement read, in part, that coaches were concerned Godwin was "a completely different player" than he was when they scouted him on his summer-league team.

"The coaching staff was very concerned he would enroll at Texas Tech, would not be able to play at the Big 12 level, and Texas Tech would not be in a position to renew the scholarship award the following year," the statement read.

Michael Godwin declined comment. Charlie Godwin said Knight and his staff had been communicating with Rockwall coach Lynn Nabi the last couple of weeks. It was Nabi who told Godwin and his parents about Tech's concerns after a practice on New Year's Eve.

"The message was very clear they did not want Michael anymore," Charlie Godwin said.

On its Web site, Tech said it wanted to make the Godwins aware of the coaches' evaluation "while he had ample time to consider what was best for him and his future."

Charlie Godwin said he didn't consider Tech's actions in his son's best welfare.

"They have hurt my son emotionally," he said. "If they had concerns, why did they make the offer? They should have looked at him to sign in the late period."

Because he signed the national letter of intent during the early signing period in November, Godwin was guaranteed a one-year scholarship to Tech. But the letter wouldn't have assured him a spot on the team. Charlie Godwin said the family asked for a release from the letter after Nabi conveyed Tech's opinion.

The National Letter of Intent office said it receives about 30,000 letters annually in all Division I and Division II sports, and about 350 students seek release from them.

Tech's Internet statement includes text from a letter Knight wrote to Godwin, a letter the family said it was awaiting but hadn't received as of Friday afternoon.

"Your decision will have to be based on how much more effective you think you can be than you have shown thus far in the high school season," Knight says in the letter. "If you feel you are playing at your best, I simply think it would be a mistake for you to come to Tech. However, the final decision is up to you and your folks and we will go along with whatever you decide."

Tech assistant coaches have attended several of Godwin's recent games. Knight attended Rockwall's 44-41 loss Dec. 20 to state-ranked Tyler John Tyler, in which Godwin scored 13 points.

Godwin, rated the No. 35 senior in the state by TexasHoops .com, is averaging 8.3 points a game for Rockwall (15-4). He scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds and eight assists in Tuesday's victory over Mesquite Horn. Godwin averaged 7.7 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior.

Charlie Godwin said his son is the same caliber player as when Tech noticed him during the summer with Texas Top Prospects. He is handling the ball more in Rockwall's offense than he did with the summer team.

"No, he's not a 30 points per game scorer," Charlie Godwin said. "That's not his style. They knew full well. ... Against John Tyler, he played all positions. They might want to see who had all the assists."

Godwin will reopen his recruiting, his father said, and schools such as UT-San Antonio, Central Florida, North Texas and Midwestern State have shown interest.

"I am so proud of my son," Charlie Godwin said. "He's picked it up and moved forward."

Coffee and TV · January 7, 2006

Ok I think we have the edge above all of the other schools that are showing interest, although I think UCF has recently had an upgrade in their basketball arena.

GangGreen · January 7, 2006

Bring him on! Another big guy will always help.

UNTSportsGuy · January 7, 2006

Don't have the room for another person.

GrandGreen · January 7, 2006

NT has already got one more committment than they have ships, so I doubt they are interested in the player.

This is the downside of early committments. Even though the college has a contract that they must honor for one year, they can make life miserable for someone they no longer want. The downside for Tech or any other school is that they will get a deserved reputation that they don't honor their committments and eventually their recruiting will suffer.

NT has done the same thing as Tech so I don't think we should get too high and mighty. At least of two of Trilli's last recruiting class were advised to seek opportunities somewhere else after signing with the Green. It is doubtful that the Trilli's recruits could have come close to playing 1A ball. So what is a coaching staff to do? Remain silent and bring in a player that has litte chance of success or level with the player and strongly suggest he find another opportunity.

NT80 · January 7, 2006

NT has already got one more committment than they have ships, so I doubt they are interested in the player.
This is the downside of early committments. Even though the college has a contract that they must honor for one year, they can make life miserable for someone they no longer want. The downside for Tech or any other school is that they will get a deserved reputation that they don't honor their committments and eventually their recruiting will suffer.
NT has done the same thing as Tech so I don't think we should get too high and mighty. At least of two of Trilli's last recruiting class were advised to seek opportunities somewhere else after signing with the Green. It is doubtful that the Trilli's recruits could have come close to playing 1A ball. So what is a coaching staff to do? Remain silent and bring in a player that has litte chance of success or level with the player and strongly suggest he find another opportunity.
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Sounds like Knight and Co. should do a better job of scouting a player longer before offering ships. This isn't the first player they tried to run off after signing. Wreck Tech!!